Hard Life Return To The Stage at O2 Academy Leeds - Review

It’s official: hard life are back. The indie-pop band, formerly known as easy life, returned to the stage on Tuesday (28 October 2025) at O2 Academy Leeds for the first night of their ‘Onion Tour’, marking the start of a new era and the release of their third studio album.

Leeds was stop number one of seven, and the Sonic Hub team was there to witness the comeback in full force. Opening the night was rising UK songwriter Woody, who delivered an emotionally charged set of Mk.gee-inspired tunes, a perfect warm-up for the rest of the evening.

As the lights dimmed, a montage of old voicemails and nostalgic clips filled the venue, while white lights flashed across the crowd. Once the opening chords of Tears struck, the entire room came alive.

The energy stayed high and didn’t dip for a second as the band rolled straight into ‘Sunday’, a clear fan favourite, before ‘Sangria’ got the audience grooving once again. The setlist struck the perfect balance between old and new, and in between songs the band took a trip down memory lane, celebrating the history and sounds that started it all in a genuine nod to their journey so far.

The group maintained steady crowd interaction, delighting their dedicated fanbase, who were witnessing their return after a long hiatus. Each band member delivered standout performances, akin to the studio record or, dare we say, even better. The passion for live music was undeniable, seeping through every aspect of the performance and bringing the full hard life experience to every corner of the venue.

In return, their loyal fanbase sang back every word, track after track in unison, demonstrating their well-earned standing in the British indie-pop scene. It’s safe to say, it’s never a hard life at a hard life concert.

---

WORDS AND PHOTOS LEWIS WOLSTENHOLME